Oh what a bummer. My J Crew boots just made it in and they are pretty seriously creased.

Can anyone offer thoughts on whether these are worth keeping, or should I return them in the hopes that a new pair will free up?

Is there any way to mitigate these creases? Would I get these creases anyway--or would they be differently located because of the specificity of my feet?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigbadbuff

Those are indeed quite tried on- but they will crease anyway the first time you wear them. Whether it would be in a different spot or not, probably. That is why most guys want pristine pairs so the creases are specific to their feet.

Right - and since you have them, walk around on carpet and see how they crease for you. If not to your liking, return them.

I decided to resist. There are other shoes higher up on my list that I want more and I'm not 100% sure I would like the Van last. I'm sure I will regret my decision when I see everyone posting these over the next few weeks.

Using the mac method (barely damp cloth then brush brush brush) will subdue those creases greatly. If that doesn't do the job entirely try some saphir renovateur and brush them. Should do the trick. I bought a deer bone from The Hanger Project but don't really see much difference in using it rather than the before mentioned options.

I decided to resist. There are other shoes higher up on my list that I want more and I'm not 100% sure I would like the Van last. I'm sure I will regret my decision when I see everyone posting these over the next few weeks.

These are beyond what I would call normal creasing. The JCew #8 PCT boot has been fairly hard to get lately, so I do suggest keeping them. However I would certainly hit them up for a decent discount and see if they do have another pair they could send? These boot are easily one of my favorite boots in #8 and for me they were my first cordovan boot.

@jhcam8 Yeah, I'll walk around a day in them on carpet. I just hate returning a pair of cordovan boots that I put creases into... Feels like I'm sneakily stealing the wrapping paper on someone else's Christmas present (if not, maybe the shiny-newness of their present altogether)! But, since J Crew doesn't seem to care what customers do prior to returning their shoes and these already have creases, well, I'll probably walk around the home in them.

Thanks so much for this! I watched a few deer bone videos and they're kind of amazing in large part because after about 5-7 minutes of methodically rubbing in small circles, the polisher observes something like, "well, there's a small difference, but I'm not sure you'll be able to see it on camera. I can kinda see it, though." And part of me thinks, "yeah, for a $36 bone and on $700 shoes you should see at least some difference"! Lol! The mac method sounds right. Ultimately I'll probably pick up a deer bone (from Leffot, probably--thanks bkotsko) and will maybe eventually post a video in which I'll say "hmmm... some difference? Maybe?" :-)

@bkotsko Thanks for your thoughts... lol! I believe my feet bend! :-) And what beautiful shoes you've got--a lovely collection may you wear in them in good health...!

@totalair1 I just called and they said no discount because these are from a third-party vendor... They offered me a 20% drop if I go with their card, but, honestly, that's not enough money for them to run my credit history! :-)

@totalair1 I just called and they said no discount because these are from a third-party vendor... They offered me a 20% drop if I go with their card, but, honestly, that's not enough money for them to run my credit history! :-)

I'm not drinking that Koolaide! JCrew did not get those boots from Alden creased like that! At the end of the day its your decision alone. I normally don't make a big deal about a little creasing but these are for sure creased. I think you can deer bone out these creases and a deer bone works really well for me. However I would tell them if they can't give you a decent discount you want another pair. This boot is not rare enough to deal with this crap. Have you sent them the pictures you posted? I would escalate to the next level of management!

@jhcam8
Yeah, I'll walk around a day in them on carpet. I just hate returning a pair of cordovan boots that I put creases into... Feels like I'm sneakily stealing the wrapping paper on someone else's Christmas present (if not, maybe the shiny-newness of their present altogether)! But, since J Crew doesn't seem to care what customers do prior to returning their shoes and these already have creases, well, I'll probably walk around the home in them.

@totalair1 I've reached out to management and sent them these pictures and a few additional ones (side view; soles) and they're thinking it over. I'll certainly keep you posted on how this goes... Perhaps this will serve as an indictment of purchasing Alden from J Crew (Leffot would *never* send these shoes to anyone); perhaps it will demonstrate how good J Crew's customer service is... My thinking: if I saw these on eBay for $550 I'd buy them as is, so J. Crew should bring them down to $550 for me... Fingers crossed!

I'd definitely go for a new pair if they were available, but it isn't clear if/when they'd become available... That's why I'm tempted to keep these (otherwise I'd just be pissy about having to get to the PO for a new pair). :-)

@totalair1
I've reached out to management and sent them these pictures and a few additional ones (side view; soles) and they're thinking it over. I'll certainly keep you posted on how this goes... Perhaps this will serve as an indictment of purchasing Alden from J Crew (Leffot would *never* send these shoes to anyone); perhaps it will demonstrate how good J Crew's customer service is... My thinking: if I saw these on eBay for $550 I'd buy them as is, so J. Crew should bring them down to $550 for me... Fingers crossed!

I'd definitely go for a new pair if they were available, but it isn't clear if/when they'd become available... That's why I'm tempted to keep these (otherwise I'd just be pissy about having to get to the PO for a new pair). :-)

In my opinion, creased shoes are not new shoes.

When I try on shoes, no matter the maker, I never bend my foot. I can get a good idea of fit without bending my foot all the way or at all.

@totalair1 I've reached out to management and sent them these pictures and a few additional ones (side view; soles) and they're thinking it over. I'll certainly keep you posted on how this goes... Perhaps this will serve as an indictment of purchasing Alden from J Crew (Leffot would *never* send these shoes to anyone); perhaps it will demonstrate how good J Crew's customer service is... My thinking: if I saw these on eBay for $550 I'd buy them as is, so J. Crew should bring them down to $550 for me... Fingers crossed!

I'd definitely go for a new pair if they were available, but it isn't clear if/when they'd become available... That's why I'm tempted to keep these (otherwise I'd just be pissy about having to get to the PO for a new pair). :-)

I purchased a pair of Indy 403 from Unionmade last summer and they came to me obviously tried on/worn with a crease. I brought this up with them and the ended up taking 35% off the price. That was for chromexcel. I would at least assume some type of discount for something like shell, where creases/rolls are even more noticeable when the shoes are flexed.